Tortuguero was declared a national park on Sept. 24, 1970, and its boundaries were extended three times (1980, 1995 and 1998). Its area has increased from 64,701.45 hectares to 76,937. Of that area, 50,284 hectares are marine territory, and 26,653 are on land. Of the land area, 99% is used for absolute protection of resources, and 1% is used for visitation facilities. The marine area is 100% designated for absolute conservation.

This park is located in the volcanic mountain range in Guanacaste and is home to lowland mountain rain forests, tropical wet forest, and the very wet premontane forest. Its highest point measures 6,289 ft. above sea level. Some of the more prominent plant species include palm trees, ferns, bromeliads, and orchids. White-faced monkeys, anteaters, pumas, tapirs, and peccaries as well as exotic bird species like trogons and the three-wattled bellbird are sighted here.

With a 58,323-hectare area and altitudes ranging from 1,220 to 2,560 meters above sea level, this park is located in one of the rainiest parts of the country and is home to 45 species of mammals, 260 bird species and 30 reptile species, as well as ancient oak and alder forests. Fed by several tributaries, the Grande de Orosi River runs through the area and its waters are used to produce hydroelectric energy which provides part of the metropolitan area’s water supply.

Here, there are various beaches, such as the Hachal, Danta, Coquito, Santa Elena, and Blanca as well as a lookout point and trails. The Santa Rosa Park is home to the most famous dry tropical forest in Central America. There are a variety of species in this forest like the white-tailed deer, howler and white-faced monkeys, etc. There are also two beaches: Naranjo and Nancite where Olive Ridley sea turtles nest. This area also has historical importance because of the Santa Rosa Battle that was fought here.

This national park is where the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano is located. There are two 31,000 acre areas: Las Pilas and Santa Maria. There are nine cones all together and a lagoon called “Los Jilgueros.” Pailas Area: trails (4 miles long) to the Von Seebach craters (6,200 ft. above sea level) Rincon de la Vieja (6,000 ft. above sea level) trail to Las Pailas (1.5 miles) trail to the La Cangreja Waterfalls (3 miles) and Escondidas (2 miles) trail to Blanco River well (2,000 ft.) trail to the fumaroles and mud pits.

The Poas is a volcano that rises to 2,708 metres above sea level, since 1989 has increased markedly the emission of gases causing acid rain phenomena that have damaged the flora in some sectors of the Park and surrounding agricultural plantations to the area. At the top there are two craters, the principal of 1.5 km in diameter and 300 deep, and the Botos lagoon, cold water and source purely rain, that drain into the Caribbean by the Angel river, tributary of the Sarapiqui River.

Along with Corcovado National Park and the Golfo Dulce Forest Preserve, Piedras Blancas forms an important biological corridor that, aside from being rich in itself, protects the great diversity of plant and wildlife species inhabiting Golfo Dulce. Visitor services include only trails and natural viewpoints.

Palo Verde National Park is one of the most biodiverse areas in Costa Rica. It encompasses a rich mosaic of over 15 different natural communities, including the deciduous lowland forest, the evergreen forest, the flooded forest, the deciduous limestone hill forest, grasslands and mangroves. The wetlands, which represent some 50% of the park’s area, are a sanctuary for thousands of aquatic birds, both migratory and non-migratory. This led the park to be declared a Wetland of Importance under the Global Convention on Wetlands.

Manuel Antonio Park has 683 hectares, it has the most varied and beautiful landscapes. Surrounded by a lush tropical very wet forest and in their paths can be observed capuchin monkeys, sloths, coatis, raccoons, iguanas and many species of birds, as well as the squirrel monkey (Saimiri oerstedii citrinellus), endemic to Manuel Antonio, i.e. that is only in that part of the world, increasingly threatened, left only 1,500 individuals according to the most recent census. The Park protects also 12 Islands that represent excellent shelter for several species of marine birds.

Los Quetzales National Park is located in the district of Copey and canton of Dota, San José province, 76.5 kilometers south of the capital. It is a special area for birdwatching, particularly the quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno), a near-endangered species according to the UICN list. The type of cloud forest generated by different climatic conditions includes trees covered with a wide variety of plant species, which makes them attractive to birds and animals that inhabit the area. It is home to many endemic species of flora and fauna.